In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are doing a mailbag episode! We are diving into some of the questions we have gotten from you guys about the national parks and sharing our best tips and suggestions.  Join us as we share our favorite camping tips, the best trails for solo hiking, park ranger Ash, and more!  In this episode, we discuss:  What Beginner Campers Need 101How to find the best affordable camping equipmentHow to plan your meals while camping Where to find the best campsitesWhere to find the best hiking trails for solo hikingHow and why Ash became a park rangerThe trips we have coming up on the East side of the Mississippi We hope you enjoyed hearing the answers to some of these listener questions today.  If you have any questions about national parks, family travel, outdoor activities, us, or anything in between, please visit dirtinmyshoes.com/podcast to leave us a message. We’ll answer them in an upcoming Mailbag episode! Check out the full show notes here.

Join us as we journey back to Alaska for some fascinating Glacier Bay fun facts! Ash, who worked as a park ranger in Glacier Bay National Park, and John, who loves Glacier Bay and enjoys learning and sharing his discoveries, are here to share our unique experiences and surprise you with facts that make this park so extraordinary! From advancing glaciers, tidal waves, scientific research, rebounding land, and fascinating wildlife, Glacier Bay National Park is sure to be on your bucket list after this podcast episode. In this episode, we discuss:  What makes these the fastest-moving glaciers in the world  The location of the largest tidal wave recorded in history Why this park was claimed by the government… for scienceHow Glacier Bay went from a rocky landscape to a rainforest in record timeThe coolest thing about the wildlife in this park We hope you enjoyed learning more about why Glacier Bay is such an unbelievable park. We also hope you can visit Glacier Bay and see it all for yourself sometime soon!  Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Which one of these fun facts surprised you the most? Head over to our Facebook or Instagram page and let us know! Check out the full show notes here.

It’s that time of year again — time to start thinking about Yellowstone National Park! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we discuss the amazing wildlife that can be seen in Yellowstone.  The wildlife in this park is incredible. It’s the North American Safari! Join us as we explore the top spots in Yellowstone to see wildlife, with a sprinkle of wildlife-themed dad jokes along the way!  In this episode, we discuss:  The unmatched spot in this park to see the best wildlife Where to find the most buffaloThe best spots to see wolves Our favorite places to see grizzly bears The one place to go if you want to see some elk The different types of birds you can see in the parkWhere to see the fastest animals in North America The best times of year to see these animals We hope you enjoyed hearing about the wildlife in Yellowstone. This park is packed full of amazing wildlife, and we hope you get the chance to see it this year!  Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Have you had a wildlife encounter in Yellowstone? Tell us about it! Head over to the Dirt In My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know! Check out the full show notes here.

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring a park that is near and dear to our hearts – Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska!  Ash worked as a park ranger in Glacier Bay and has so many amazing experiences to share about living in this part of Alaska! This national park has tidewater glaciers, massive mountains, and wildlife galore, so we’re excited to explore Glacier Bay with you!  In this episode, we discuss:  Our special connection to this national parkThe unique route you need to know about if you want to visit this parkThe thing that makes Glacier Bay so cool The best place to see humpback whales in this park The incredible wildlife in this areaThe best way to see this park Our favorite spots in Glacier Bay What you can expect with the weather in this areaThe cool thing about the glaciers in this national park What to do at Bartlett Cove Our favorite trails in this national park What you need to know if you plan to go fishing in Glacier Bay  We hope you love this episode and learning about all of the incredible sights that Glacier Bay has to offer! This park is truly phenomenal so we hope that everyone gets a chance to visit.  Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! What wildlife are you most looking forward to seeing in Glacier Bay? Head over to the Dirt In My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know! Check out the full show notes here.

Let’s hit the road and travel to some of the most beautiful national parks in the country! In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re taking you on a journey through our home state.  This epic 10-day Utah National Parks road trip is a family favorite, and we can’t wait to show you our favorite spots. Join us as we share a really cool sample itinerary that you can enjoy with your family while exploring Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion!  On the episode’s itinerary:  The best location to start this road trip How many days to spend at each national park to see everythingThe food you don’t want to miss during your road tripCan’t miss hikes at each national parkThe route we recommend you take to see all 5 Utah National Parks Where to find the best scenery in these parksOther stops and towns en route that you don’t want to missHow to expand your trip by adding a couple of days We hope you enjoy hitting the road with us on this epic 10-day road trip through The Mighty 5 Utah National Parks! If you want more detailed help on what you see in these parks, head over to DirtInMyShoes.com and check out our itineraries for each park. Remember to complete your task for this week! Of all the movies we mentioned in this episode that were filmed in the Mighty 5 area of Utah, which one is your favorite? Head over to the Dirt In My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know!  Check out the full show notes here.

Let’s head back to Olympic National Park for some fun facts! There is so much to share about this unique national park that it was kind of hard to narrow it down to just five.  Olympic has so many distinct ecosystems and areas that are so different from the others in this park, and we are excited to dive into what makes this park so special!  Join us as we discuss:  Where the rocks at Olympic National Park come from The surprising number of glaciers you can find in this parkThe plants and animals in this area that you won’t find anywhere else The shocking amount of rain this park gets each year The last place in this park explored and mapped in the lower 48 We hope you love learning these fun facts as much as we do! Olympic is such an incredible park, and we hope you get the chance soon to get out there and explore it for yourself. If you need any help planning your trip, get your itinerary for an hour-by-hour schedule in Olympic!  Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Which national park would you have loved to discover before the explorers did? Head over to the Dirt In My Shoes Instagram or Facebook page and let us know! Check out the full show notes here.

Curious about potential future national parks? In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we're diving into emerging candidates that you won't want to miss. Join us as we explore seven key locations where people are advocating for national park status! Join us as we discuss:  What has to happen for a new national park to be establishedSeven locations that may become national parks in the futureWhat makes these locations so coolThings to do at each of these parks The fascinating history, nature, and archeology you can find in these parks The benefits of having a national park designation  We hope you enjoy learning about these potential national parks with us! If you need any help planning your next national park trip, head over to DirtInMyShoes.com to get your itinerary!  Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Which of these locations would you vote for to be the next national park? Head over to the Dirt In My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know! Check out the full show notes here.

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring Olympic National Park! This huge national park has so much diversity and unique qualities that we can’t wait to explore with you all.  Plus, it’s Ash’s turn to nerd out because Forks, Washington, home to a certain sparkly vampire and werewolf from Twilight, is one of the gateway towns to this park.  Join us as we discuss:  Everything you need to know about Port Angeles The best way to see Hurricane Ridge and Mount OlympusOur favorite trails in the area The things that can make or break your trip to this parkWhy we love visiting Lake Crescent Where you can find good waterfallsOur experience in the hot springs at Olympic National ParkMust-see stops in Forks, Washington, for Twilight lovers What you need to know about lodging while visiting this area The best beaches in this parkWhat makes the rainforest so amazing The huge Roosevelt elk you can see in the area  We hope you enjoy exploring Olympic National Park with us! If you need any help planning your next trip, head over to Dirt In My Shoes to get your Olympic National Park itinerary!  Read the full show notes here.

Want to explore the national parks but on a tight budget? You’re going to love this episode of Exploring the National Parks!  Visiting the national parks is actually a great option for you if you love to travel but don’t have a ton of money to spend on it. We are sharing all of our top tips for traveling to the national parks while spending as little money as possible!  Join us as we discuss:  The benefits of an annual passWhen to travel for the most savingsWhy we love camping in the parks How to save on meals in the national parksWays to save on gas when traveling to national parksTaking advantage of all of the free activities in the parksDays you can visit the parks for freeThe benefits of visiting the smaller national parks or national monuments We hope you enjoyed these money-saving tips that will help you travel to the parks on a budget!  If you need any help planning your trips to the parks, head over to DirtInMyShoes.com to get your itinerary.  Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! What is your favorite tip for visiting the national parks on a budget? Head over to the Dirt In My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know! Check out the full show notes here.

It’s time to learn some fun facts about Arches National Park!  This is one of the coolest parks to visit, so we are so excited to jump into these truly fascinating fun facts about this national park. From the geology to the wildlife to the stars in the sky, we are covering everything that makes this park so incredible. Join us for this exciting episode! Join us as we discuss:  The crazy number of natural arches this park has The cryptobiotic crust you’ll find in this parkThe fascinating wildlife you’ll find hereWhat makes this park an International Dark Sky ParkThe human history of this park We hope you enjoyed this episode and that you get the chance to get out there and explore this exciting and inviting park soon. There is an Arches adventure waiting for you out there!  If you need any help, we have a ton of trip-planning information over at DirtInMyShoes.com. Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Head over to our Facebook or Instagram page and share which national park you would like to explore and what adventure you would want to have there. Let us know!  Check out the full show notes here.

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are getting a little nerdy! We have been making lists of the national parks by size, visitation, and date established on Dirt In My Shoes.  Today, we’re sharing some interesting information on the first five National Parks that were established. As National Park enthusiasts, we think everyone should know what the first five national parks were! So, let’s explore the first five national parks and learn some interesting history along the way. Join us as we discuss:  The interesting history leading up to the establishment of the national parksThe first five national parks that were established in the U.S. The key people involved in establishing these national parks Fascinating historical events surrounding these parksThe establishment of The National Park Service  We were so surprised by some of the parks on this list and the history behind it all. We hope you loved this episode and enjoyed nerding out over national park history with us! If you want to see the full list, you can find it here. Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! We want to know which national park surprises you the most according to when it was established. Head to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know!  Check out the full show notes here.

Let’s explore Arches! We visit this national park at least once a year, and we never run out of things to do because there is just so much to see in the area.  Whether it’s the well-known sights or the hidden gems, in this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re discussing it all. This park is truly iconic, and we hope this episode helps you plan your next trip! Join us as we discuss:  Our favorite arches in the Devils Garden Where to go for a quiet place to experience the arches The popular arch that Ash is not a fan ofOur tips for visiting Fiery Furnace Important things you’ll want to remember before visiting this parkWhere to get the best view of Delicate ArchThe best places to experience the sunset in the parkOther great areas in the park to see non-arch formationsParts of the park to explore if you have a JeepWhat to do, where to stay, and where to eat in MoabArches entrance reservations We hope you get the chance to explore this incredible park yourself this year!  To see the best of the park without getting stuck in the crowds, you’ll find a full Arches National Park Itinerary on the Dirt In My Shoes website. Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Head over to our Facebook or Instagram @dirtinmyshoes and show us what you like to wear when you’re out exploring the national parks. (This has a funny tie-in with the town of Moab, which we discuss near the end of the episode.) Check out the full show notes here.

Which national park campground is the best? In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are doing a full-on WWE-style smackdown! We each picked our top five favorite campgrounds, and we are going to battle it out to see who came up with the best options.  We were full-time RVers for three years, so we are very familiar with the national park campgrounds, and we are excited to dive into it today!  Join us as we discuss:  - The national monuments we both put on our lists - The things we love about each campground we chose - The most unique campgrounds we have stayed at - Some fun and elusive campgrounds you want to check out - Campgrounds you need to put on your bucket list We hope you enjoy this National Park Campground Smackdown episode! Camping is one of the best ways to stay in the parks without spending a ton of money, so we highly recommend it!  If you want help planning your trip, head over to DirtInMyShoes.com to get started planning. Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Head over to our Facebook or Instagram @dirtinmyshoes, leave us a comment, and tell us about your favorite campground in the National Parks! Check out the full show notes here.

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing 5 fun facts about Big Bend National Park! We recently shared our favorite activities and places to stay in this park, and today we are sharing some incredible fun facts.  Known as a geologist’s paradise and nightmare, we are so excited to share all of the things that make this place so cool. Join us as we explore this chaotic and fascinating park! Join us as we discuss: - The massive events this park has been a part of in the last 340 million years - The one thing Big Bend has that other national parks don’t  - What makes the fossils at Big Bend so unique  - The vast amount of species living in this national park - What makes the human history in this park so fascinating  From the plants, animals, and geology to the human history, there is so much to appreciate about this one-of-a-kind national park. If you want help planning your trip, head over to DirtInMyShoes.com to get started planning! Don’t forget to complete your task for this week! Head over to our Facebook or Instagram @dirtinmyshoes and participate in our poll. We want to know what part of Big Bend you are most excited to see! Check out the full show notes here.

It’s a brand new year, and in this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are discussing what you can expect in the national parks in 2024! Granted, things will change throughout the year, but this is an overview of how things are looking for the 2024 season. I know many of you are planning your trips right now, so our goal is to give you as much insight as possible into what you can expect this year in the parks.  Join us as we discuss:  - What you need to know about park reservations this year - What to know if you are planning to camp in the parks - Parks with upcoming construction closures you’ll want to know about - How to prepare for wildfire season in the parks  Remember, the parks are always changing, so it’s best to check the official NPS website often. If you want help planning your trip, head over to DirtInMyShoes.com to get started planning! Don’t forget to complete your task for this week. If you know that you're visiting a national park in 2024, go and look at the official NPS site for that national park so you know what you need to do before you go. You can also head over to Instagram and join Ash for a Q&A session where you can ask all of your national park questions! Check out the full show notes here.

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring Big Bend! It’s a pilgrimage to get to this remote national park, but it’s worth the trek to the bottom of West Texas. Big Bend is totally different from any other national park, and there are so many fun things you can do during your trip. You’re going to fall in love with the Rio Grande River, the Chisos Mountains, and the unique desert landscape as we explore this park together. Join us as we discuss:  - What makes this lonesome park so special  - Our favorite sections of Big Bend - The closest gateway towns to Big Bend - Tips for visiting Mexico while you’re at this park - The incredible mountains you can see in the area - Where to stay while visiting Big Bend - Our favorite trails to hike - The unexpected wildlife and fossils you’ll find in the area - The most stunning canyon you’ll find in Big Bend - Our favorite restaurants in the area  We hope you love hearing all about Big Bend. If you are thinking about visiting this park, head over to DirtInMyShoes.com to start planning your trip.  Don’t forget to complete your task for this week. Go to the Dirt In My Shoes Instagram or Facebook page to join in on the fun! Check out the full show notes here.

This is our last podcast episode of 2023, and we are Florida dreaming! Today we are sharing our favorite fun facts about Dry Tortugas National Park. This park is incredible for many reasons and might be one of the most exciting fun facts episodes we’ve ever done! This national park has a colorful history, and even though it can be challenging to get to, it’s well worth the trip. Join us as we discuss: - Florida’s fascinating origin story - How biology is actually the geology of this park - The story of how Dry Tortugas was discovered - Why there is a surprising number of sunken ships in this national park - The history behind why you can find the largest masonry fort in the Western hemisphere in this park We hope you enjoyed this episode of Exploring the National Parks! Dry Tortugas is definitely one of the most fascinating parks we have been to, and its history is rich with pirates, ships, and treasure. Check out the full show notes here.

Raise the mast!  Swab the deck!  Arrr mateys, do you love pirates? If so, you’re going to love this episode of Exploring the National Parks!  We are exploring a park that surprised us in every way - Dry Tortugas National Park! We have been to many historical parks, but this one was so much cooler than we expected. Everything about this area will amaze you, and we are excited to share this incredible park with you.  Join us as we discuss:  The only two ways to get to Dry Tortugas (and our traumatic experience getting there!) The fascinating history behind Fort Jefferson and the amazing sights to see  Why this is one of the best places to go snorkeling and see coral and fish  Our experience visiting Key West and what we loved about it The interesting things to see and stories you can hear in this area Though our first trip was bumpy, we can’t wait to get back – it was such a gorgeous location to visit! Add Dry Tortugas to your bucket list, and get ready to have adventures on the high seas! Check out the full show notes here.

Wondering how to get your kids to happily hike in the national parks with you? In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are sharing our top tips for hiking with kids.  We have been hiking with kids for many years, and we love how it forces us to slow down and really appreciate the parks even more. Join us as we share our favorite strategies for hiking the national parks with little ones!  Join us as we discuss:  How to choose the right trail length for kids How to get your kids to sleep better while on vacation Why the gear you get for hiking with kids matters  Our go-to trick to keep our kids going on trails  How to make hiking extra fun with storytelling Our favorite games to play on the trails  What you should never hike without  We love taking our kids on the trails with us because it is a great way to teach them the value of hard work and the reward that they can get at the end of a hike!  If you want some help planning your next trip to the national parks, head over to Dirt In My Shoes to get hour-by-hour itineraries for the parks (they are kid-friendly).  Check out the full show notes here.

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are California dreamin’ with some Joshua Tree National Park fun facts. If you are looking for a warmer park to travel to this winter, Joshua Tree is the perfect location to check out. This is definitely one of those parks that you will appreciate more if you learn something about it first! Join us as we discuss:  The geological forces that created this park a hundred million years ago The fascinating fact about the tectonic plates you are standing on in Joshua Tree  The two entirely different desert ecosystems that meet in Joshua Tree  Why we really don’t know how old Joshua trees are Where the name of this park comes from  The plant species used by the native people of the area  We hope this episode helps you appreciate this amazing park even more! It may not seem like much at first glance, but the beauty of this park really is in the details.  For help planning your trip to Joshua Tree, check out this list of 8 things you can’t miss on your first visit. Check out the full show notes here.